• ECCE
  • School Edu
  • Higher Edu
  • Edu Tech
  • Skills
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Login
New Updates
  • vivo Ignite 2025, in Partnership with NCERT, IITM, and UNGC, Celebrates Tech Talent in Schools
  • Letter of Intents (LOIs) issued to 5 Foreign Universities to set-up Campuses in Mumbai
  • NEET 2025 Results Spark Celebrations Across India’s Top Coaching Institutes
  • Veranda Learning to merge operations of 4 key verticals in its business
  • Safety Measures for School Children in Maharashtra rolled out
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk
No Result
View All Result
Education21

IIT Guwahati researchers develop pharmaceutical and food products from Tea Factory Waste

education by education
September 14, 2023
in Higher Edu, Latest
0
IIT Guwahati researchers develop pharmaceutical and food products from Tea Factory Waste

(L to R) Prangan Duarah, Banhisikha Debnath,Prof Mihi Purkait and Somnath Chanda

0
SHARES
78
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The research team led by Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, has carried out cutting age research on the diversified application of tea factory waste to various pharmaceutical and foods products as an output of Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowships of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE). These carbonaceous pharmaceutical materials form the basis for a broad spectrum of application-based commodities.

The research team has filed multiple patents on the basis of these developments. These include technologies related to: Catechins from green tea leaves are used to create organic preservatives, extending the shelf life of fresh fruit juices; spent tea leaves are processed into pharmaceutical-grade super-activated carbon; Catechin powder is formulated for capsule preparation, with lightweight carbonaceous material added for catechin stabilization.

The range of innovative value-added products developed in their laboratory at IIT Guwahati include:

Low-cost antioxidant-rich supplements which are designed to provide an affordable healthier lifestyle option by harnessing green tea’s potential properties

Organic preservatives developed from the green tea have redefined food preservation by extending the shelf life of vegetable and fruit juices for up to one year, effectively reducing waste and ensuring long-lasting freshness. In the sustainability realm, pharmaceutical super-grade activated carbon is setting new standards with its exceptional surface area, making it an incredibly versatile product in pharmaceutical as well as in Fast-moving consumer goods (FMGC)

Biochar produced from the waste contributes significantly to waste reduction and environmental restoration including carbon sequestration in various contexts

For pharmaceutical applications, the liquefiable carbon source promises innovative solutions that embrace the future of medicine

Micro and nano-crystalline cellulose tailored for intelligent packaging brings intelligence to product packaging, satisfying the evolving demands of modern consumers and industries

The developed carbon quantum dots are currently being explored for their sensing potential in detecting harmful contaminants in water bodies

The findings of these studies have also been published in various international journals including International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Chemosphere, Critical Reviews in Biotechnology etc. This research has been carried out by Somnath Chanda, Prangan Duarah, and Banhisikha Debnath as a part of their PhD thesis work in the Centre for The Environment of IIT Guwahati.

As per a recent study, tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide with world tea consumption reaching 6.3 million tonnes and is expected to rise to 7.4 million tonnes by 2025. This huge increase in tea consumption leads to an increase in industrial tea waste generation which leads to non-utilization of valuable agricultural resources and deterioration of environment. Because of its high lignin and low inorganic content, efficient utilization of tea industry wastes demands scientifically advanced techniques. Addressing these waste utilization and management issues becomes paramount as it aligns with sustainable practices and innovative solutions, ensuring both the industrial growth and ecological preservation

The researchers worked in line with the scope of waste to wealth mission (W2W) of Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India, this research leverages a key regional resource to promote a more sustainable and diversified economy in the North Eastern states of India. The research will also fulfil the purpose of “Act East Policy” of Govt of India, “Advantages Assam” and “Biotechnology” policy of Govt of Assam.   

.Commenting on the good news, Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “The convenience and health benefits of catechin-based capsules open a promising avenue, offering users access to the advantages of catechins without the necessity of multiple cups of green tea. This caters to the increasing demand for antioxidant-rich supplements in our daily routines.”

Prof. Purkait further added, “The lignin-rich spent tea leaves are transformed into activated carbon through a specialized reactor. This involves a dual-step procedure: first, carbonization, which converts lingo-cellulosic biomass into a carbon-rich matrix; then, activation, which creates a porous structure, enhancing adsorption properties for wide range of applications that includes,  i) Food grade activated carbon as an alternative to synthetic food colorant to impart blackish, hues ii) natural based mild abrasive material in toiletries such as tooth paste and body washes, iii)) low density and light weight pharma-grade and chemically inert carbon as a pharmaceutical ingredient in solid-dosage forms as diluents, iv) non-selective adsorptive properties of microporous carbon used in anti-pollution masks and as a deodorant in socks, v) used in packaging to prevent moisture assisted degradation or spoilages etc.”

The commercial potential of these products is substantial. For instance, the demand for catechin based health supplements and organic preservatives are on the rise among health-conscious consumers and food processing companies.

The immediate future plans for the project involve advancing towards advanced Pilot stage (TRL-7) leading to the imminent Transfer of Technology (ToT) phase to potential industry partners. These value-added products not only enhance the economic viability of tea cultivation but also encourages sustainable practices by reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed
Previous Post

Application for admission to MBA course at SIIB Pune open till Nov 23

Next Post

Tributes paid to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on #EngineersDay

education

education

Related Posts

Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone of INDEA at XLRI Delhi-NCR
Higher Edu

Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone of INDEA at XLRI Delhi-NCR

by education
June 20, 2025
Galgotias Unive onboards Tata Technologies to launch Industry-Aligned Learning Centre
Higher Edu

Galgotias Unive onboards Tata Technologies to launch Industry-Aligned Learning Centre

by education
June 20, 2025
Continental Europe Emerges as a Leading Study Abroad Destination
Higher Edu

Continental Europe Emerges as a Leading Study Abroad Destination

by education
June 17, 2025
vivo Ignite 2025, in Partnership with NCERT, IITM, and UNGC, Celebrates Tech Talent in Schools
Latest

vivo Ignite 2025, in Partnership with NCERT, IITM, and UNGC, Celebrates Tech Talent in Schools

by education
June 16, 2025
Letter of Intents (LOIs) issued to 5 Foreign Universities to set-up Campuses in Mumbai
Higher Edu

Letter of Intents (LOIs) issued to 5 Foreign Universities to set-up Campuses in Mumbai

by education
June 15, 2025
Next Post
Tributes paid to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on #EngineersDay

Tributes paid to Sir M. Visvesvaraya on #EngineersDay

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed

Useful Announcements

  • All
  • Useful Announcements

XLRI Jamshedpur Invites Applications for Newly Launched Hybrid Programs in Public Policy and Human Resource Management

June 20, 2025

NAAI’s South Zone Abilympics in Chennai on June 20–21 at IIT Madras

June 16, 2025

IITM Pravartak partners with TCS iON to launch Machine Learning Operations Course

June 16, 2025

IIT Bombay launches e-Post Graduate Diploma in Integrated Circuits with Simplilearn 

June 13, 2025

Alliance University launches Multilingual and Transdisciplinary 2-Year MA in Creative Writing; apply by June 30

June 13, 2025

RCA Graduate Sonakshi Presents “Zaat” at British Council Delhi — A Sculptural Exploration of Womanhood, June 11–July 31

June 13, 2025
LPU launches B.Sc. and Diploma courses in Child and Elderly Care

LPU launches B.Sc. and Diploma courses in Child and Elderly Care

June 12, 2025

Indian School of Hospitality Opens Applications for BBA/BBA (Hons) in Hospitality Management

June 6, 2025

Vikalp India introduces ‘STEAM Lab at Home’

June 6, 2025

GlobalGyan launches ‘Sarathi Leadership Program’ on Future CXO Roles

June 6, 2025

Download current issue Not available

https://online.pubhtml5.com/jlyo/bxvr/

Monthly Magazine : Feb 2024

Interactive (Quizzes/Surveys)

Start Monthly Quiz
Education21

An initiative in continuation of Curriculum Magazine, Education21.in, is a platform for New India that aspires to be a valuable innovator, partner and collaborator for a just and sustainable world. Continuing with our steady and 360 degree coverage of education system and skills landscape, we are here more oriented towards learner community.

Useful Links

  • About us
  • Team
  • Contact
  • Editorial opportunities
  • Subscriptions
  • Job Opportunities
  • Features

Important Links

  • Blog
  • Archives
  • People
  • Careerwise
  • Resources
  • Downloadable
  • Old issues
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS Feed

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Education21.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest
  • Spotlight
  • Perspective
  • Interview
  • Videos
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Student Kiosk

Copyright © 2020 All rights reserved. Education21.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Cleantalk Pixel